- Content Guidelines
Make sure you read through all our tips and best practice guidelines.
Click a sub-heading to read all about it.
Timing
You are able to supply static or animated content for this space.
If creating animated content for in-match display, you will need to also provide a static version of your creative for use during play.
Animated content may loop several times before play begins, so we recommend making your content loop.
Due to the way the LED are played out, it is important that all files are the exact same duration.
For in-match content make sure the files you create are 5 seconds exactly, and not a frame too long or short.
The duration should read ‘0.00.05.00’
Legibility
Content should fill up as much of the LED height as possible.
There are no safe areas on the LED, all pixels will be seen.
Text and graphics should be large and bold to maximise legibility from a distance.
Shorter messages perform better than longer creatives with a lot of copy.
Maximise contrast between the background and foreground elements.
Dark or bold colour backgrounds perform best on broadcast.
White and lighter colours should be avoided as the white can overpower the content.
Animated content can be a great way to draw the eye and display multiple messages over the duration of the content.
However animations must not be too distracting, scroll too fast, feature too many messages or flashing graphics.
Consider having your branding/main message on screen for the majority of the duration.
You can use photos, product images and video on the LED, however using these elements exclusively isn’t very effective in this space.
Due to the direct line of sight with the players and umpires on the field, there are careful considerations required in relation to on ground displays. Brand colours and creatives will be subject to sign off by the match officials within 24 hours of the match.
There will be a screening of content to the match officials before the season commences. It is recommended that you have your content delivered by the due date, to allow for this viewing so that you don’t run the risk of last minute changes.
You can upload a second version of your creative to MKTG Drop with ‘backup’ added to the title to ensure this is on hand if required.
In the case of a red/pink ball, you should consider turning any red/pink/orange sections black or grey-scale for your back up.
In the case of a white ball, you should consider a dulled or reversed option (dark background) for your back up.
Test Matches:
Day/Night Test Matches:
T20/ODI:
BBL:
Red Ball
Pink Ball
White Ball
White Ball
Layout
Making sure your elements are evenly spaced ensures that you don’t leave large empty spaces on the LED.
Take into consideration your content will be back to back with another file.
Make sure to populate the entire LED and not leave large gaps.
You may miss out on exposure if too much space is left blank.
Do not put two lines of text on top of each other on the LED.
Do not use your elements to cover up the seams between ANY files. Content will end up cut in half.
This does not apply for scrolling / moving content.
You should keep all logos and assets the same size throughout your LED and across all files.
Field and parapet can have different sizes to each other.
Consider your designs not only on their own but in relation to each other. If you have a tile that starts and ends with a logo such as below:
When it is tiled, you will end up with two logos next to each other before the text repeats.
There is nothing wrong with this, but it is something to keep in mind.
Due to common cricket camera angles, the right most 300px of the sight screen is seen in close-up often.
Consider having a smaller logo, or other key component of your content on the right of your designs to make the most of this.
Due to varying physical sight screen sizes used throughout the season, this assets requires a large title safe area. Do not put any text or important elements in this area.
Tiled LED
When using the tile spec, it is important that you design content that doesn’t create visible seams between the tiles.
To check the seams between your tiles, put the tiles you have created together end to end, to test if they blend seamlessly throughout the animation.
Animated elements that move off the side of the tile need to ‘re-appear’ on the opposite side of all tiles.
Coloured/Textured backgrounds should blend from end to end.
When tiled and 360 specs are available, it is recommended you make your content entirely with the tile OR 360 spec. However it is possible to deliver a combination of these two specs.
In Drop search the Asset Specification drop down for ‘Combo’.
Combo 1 is for tiled field and 360 parapet.
Combo 2 is for 360 field and tiled parapet.
Files
Due to the way the LED are played out, it is important that all files are the exact same duration.
For in-match content make sure the files you create are 5 seconds exactly, and not a frame too long or short.
The duration should read ‘0.00.05.00’
Sometimes when creating files in Adobe Media Encoder or Handbreak, the large dimensions of the LED files can be restricted by the default settings. Make sure to double check the output dimensions.
You may need to change the following Media Encoder settings to the following:
Profile: Main
Level: Unrestricted
Venue notes
If you are creating content for multiple stadiums, you may notice that the size of the tiles are approximately the same dimensions when scaled up or down. We have done this to simplify asset creation.
Perth Stadium features two heights, both need to be completed accurately to display on the perimeter LED.
Note that the 118 height tiles only display the middle 108 pixels, with the top and bottom 5 pixels not being visible. We recommend filling these areas with your background anyway.
If you are creating content for The Gabba or Blundstone Arena, please be aware that due to the slope of the ground, some of the on ground cameras occasionally have some of the field LED obscured.
Historically we have encouraged partners to shift creative to the top 80% of the screens. While this may make a small positive difference to broadcast exposure at certain times, Futures Sport and Entertainment advises the most important advice for partners is to utilise the full height of the screens, ensuring content reaches the top of the display, while avoiding creatives directed towards the bottom of the screens.
- Contact
MKTG has an expert in-house studio, specialising in stadium content creation and conversion.
Find out more here and contact Elizabeth Cook to find out how we can help you.
For set-up and assitance with MKTG Drop contact the
MKTG Drop team.
